LTO logo. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) suspended the license of the driver involved in a fatal road rage incident in Makati City.
LTO said Gerrard Raymund Yu’s license to drive a vehicle has been placed under 90-day preventive suspension, pending resolution of the administrative complaint filed against the businessman.
“The LTO has started the process of stripping the driver of the black Mercedes Benz tagged in a fatal shooting in Makati City of driving privilege,” the agency said in a statement Thursday.
Yu is currently facing administrative cases of Reckless Driving under Section 48 and Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle under Section 27(a) of the Republic Act (RA) 4136.
“We already issued a Show Cause Order against him and since he is already under police custody for a case that is non-bailable, he was directed to submit a notarized affidavit on why he should not be penalized,” LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said in the same statement.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested Yu on Wednesday in Pasig City. It is preparing to file a murder case against Yu.
Mendoza also said the vehicle’s registered owner, whose name is being withheld by authorities due to data privacy, will also be asked to explain why it was Yu who was driving the car. On Wednesday, May 29, the LTO summoned the registered owner of the black Mercedes Benz.
Both the car’s registered owner and Yu are likewise expected to explain the two different license plates seized during the businessman’s arrest, according to the LTO head.
“These are all part of the due process. What is important here is that it sent a strong message that the PNP and the LTO are working together to address this kind of crime,” Mendoza said.
Based on police reports, Yu allegedly shot the vehicle of 65-year-old Aniceto Mateo along the southbound lane of the Edsa Ayala tunnel at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, following a traffic altercation.
The bullet, however, hit Mateo as it went through the right passenger window of the car.
Authorities said Yu was using a black Mercedes Benz with plate number BCS77 during the incident.